Meth still No. 1 drug problem, study finds (bigger than cocaine, marijuana and heroin combined)

Yahoo News ^ | 7/18/06 | SAM HANANEL

[Libloather]

Meth still No. 1 drug problem, study finds
By SAM HANANEL, Associated Press Writer
28 minutes ago

A pouch containing crystalized methamphetamine and a homemade pipe are shown March 21, 2006 in Window Rock, Ariz. A survey says Meth abuse continues to fuel an increase in crimes like robbery and assault. (AP Photo/Matt York, FILE)

WASHINGTON - Meth abuse continues to fuel an increase in crimes like robbery and assault, straining the workload of local police forces despite a drop in the number of meth lab seizures, according to a survey Tuesday.

Nearly half of county law enforcement officials consider methamphetamine their primary drug problem, more than cocaine, marijuana and heroin combined, the survey of the National Association of Counties found.

"Abuse of this highly addictive brain-altering drug continues to destroy lives and strain essential county services across America," said Bill Hansell, the association's president and commissioner of Umatilla County, Ore.

The survey of 500 county law enforcement officials in 44 states showed that about half reported a decrease in the number of meth lab busts as a result of laws that restrict the sale of cold medicines with precursor ingredients used in the manufacture of meth.

That's consistent with federal figures released last month showing a 30 percent drop in the number of labs seized nationwide. But county officials said supply of the drug remains high from superlabs in California and Mexico.

About half the counties reported that one in five inmates are jailed because of meth-related crimes like robberies and burglaries. Another 17 percent of counties reported that one in two inmates are incarcerated for meth-related activity.

Hansell called on Congress to develop a comprehensive strategy to deal with the meth problem that includes more funding for anti-drug task forces, drug prevention campaigns, treatment programs and cleanup of toxic chemicals used to make meth.

Last month, the White House drug-policy office set a goal to cut meth use by 15 percent over the next three years and increase seizures of meth labs by 25 percent.

Hansell also urged federal lawmakers to reject a Bush administration proposal to eliminate the Justice Assistance Grant program, which funds drug task forces around the country. That call was echoed by local law enforcement officials at a news conference to announce the survey.

"It makes absolutely no sense to fight a war on drugs, then reduce the funding when you're in the midst of battle," said Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel. About 1,000 of the 2,800 inmates in the Oklahoma County jail are incarcerated for meth-related crimes, he said.

The survey, taken at the end of June, is based on a random sample of sheriffs or police chiefs in 500 of the nation's 3,066 counties. The association does not reveal the identity of the counties because it would discourage them from responding freely, said Jacqueline Byers, NACo's director of research.

[laker_dad]

Written by Jim Morrison (The Doors)

http://archives.waiting-forthe-sun.net/Pages/Legacy/Albums/TheDoors/Songs/TheCrystalShip.html

But was it about drugs? Some debate about that, apparently.

[Jim Noble]

But was it about drugs?

Well, it was written by Jim (drugs) Morrison (drugs), it was the B side of Light My Fire (drugs) in 1967 (drugs) and performed by the Doors (drugs), but I guess you can make up your own mind about that.

[laker_dad]

LOL! Yes, he was strange (drugs) alright! I've always liked the song but never really associated it with drugs... a google search came up with the link I provided. maybe they are putting a better spin on their hero's memory. :)

[mdefranc]

Evidently, your claim of a "massive problem" is based on the assertions of the Associated Press and the assertions of local bureaucrats on the Federal take. With regard to other issues around here, such assertions would usually get a big "Ho! Ho!"

Instead of wasting resources on social workers and narcotic agents, why not just lock up those who commit robbery and assault - if that's really what concerns you.

[Libloather]

...why not just lock up those who commit robbery and assault - if that's really what concerns you.

That concerns me - especially if they're high on meth.

I STILL can't get a solution out of you. Are you a lost cause?

[TKDietz]

"What exactly is Meth? It seems something new on the drug market."

Meth is a very powerful amphetamine. It was first synthesized in Japan in 1919, and has been used for medical and "recreational" purposes for a long time. It's was also given to German and Japanese soldiers in WWII, and possibly American soldiers to keep them awake. It Schedule II controlled substance, which is the highest level for addictive drugs with accepted medical value. Aside from illicit production, it is also marketed legally under the name, "Desoxyn," for the purpose of treating narcolepsy, ADHD and extreme obesity. There are heavy controls on pharmaceutical meth so I doubt is actually prescribed much.

I'm a public defender and I represent a lot of people on meth. I hear the high described as super coffee, something that really wakes people up and gives them lots of energy and a feeling of vitality. Those who shoot it up especially will talk about an incredible rush they get when they first take a hit. Some people take it to sharpen their senses when they go out to bars, so they can drink and chase women without ever feeling tired or drunk. Others do it for work is the ultimate pick me up, so they can out work everyone around them. Truck drivers do it to stay awake. The problem is that for all these users what may start out as a performance enhancing drug in many cases takes over their lives and becomes the opposite of a performance enhancer. Their lives spiral out of control and everything falls apart for them. Those that get hooked have a really hard time getting off of it. I see a lot of them going to rehab over and over again, prison over and over again, seemingly unable to kick it. A lot more do kick the habit than some would have you believe, but it tends to take them years and years and many of them have just ruined their lives by the time they finally do leave it alone. I wouldn't wish that addiction on anyone.

[mdefranc]

Some people make bad choices - let them suffer the consequences.

Don't ask police to die in and don't ask taxpayers to pay for a no-win war.

[Libloather]

Some people make bad choices - let them suffer the consequences. Don't ask police to die in and don't ask taxpayers to pay for a no-win war.

Despite your opinion, the free world will not bend to teenage desires.

Your arguments are based on wishes. You want the law enforcers to back down. Your grandiose expectations will be crushed to dust.

You need to find help. There is plenty. Seek some. Join the real world.

[mysterio]

I'm jazzed. Take a breath. Relax. A Quaalude may help.

I don't use illegal drugs.

Your solution to the meth infestation is what, exactly? Longer prison terms?

End the failed war on some drugs. Then it is no longer necessary to invent new, more dangerous drugs that are easily cooked in a garage from hardware store components.

[mdefranc]

Tell me, when will the war on drugs be won?

What will be the annual "investment" in lives and dollars?

[mysterio]

Your arguments are based on wishes.

I couldn't have worded the neoprohibitionist delusion any better than that. Kudos.

[Libloather]

Again, ZERO solutions from you. None. Zip. Nada. Not one. You have no ideas.

Your desires are still based on delusional wishes. Good luck to you. You will lose.

[mysterio]

Good luck to you. You will lose.

And you have already lost. The difference is that your loss costs taxpayers billions each year.

[Libloather]

The difference is that your loss costs taxpayers billions each year.

Ever add up the costs of meth's devastation? (You're still losing.)

[mysterio]

Meth would never have become the ubiquitous scourge on society that it is were it not for the failed war on some drugs necessitating an easily cooked speed. So that one goes squarely in the column of the neoprohibitionists.

[TKDietz]

"That concerns me - especially if they're high on meth."

He does kind of have a point. Our priorities are a little wacky. I work in the criminal justice system and I see so many going to prison for low level drug crimes, often on really long sentences, and I see so many others getting off relatively easy on what seem to me to be much worse crimes. For a lot of meth users it seems that the worst crime they commit is using meth. Then you have the more hardcore types who do things like commit petty thefts, write hot checks, forge checks, and/or sell a little dope to other dopers. Then there is the even smaller group who do the same things as the first two groups and worse. These guys are also burglarizing houses, committing major thefts, maybe even robbing and assaulting people, and in rare instances one of them might even kill someone. All too often though it seems like the low level drug offenders are the ones getting the major prison time while a lot of the really bad guys are getting off relatively easy.

I just don't understand that. Our prisons are limited resources and they're overflowing. I'd much rather see them put to use locking up people who are out there stealing and robbing, breaking into homes, forging checks, and on and on and on, rather than all these low level drug offenders. The only thing prison seems to be really good at is keeping the really dangerous people off the streets and away from the rest of us for a while. I think we should focus more on the crimes where there is a victim every time. Lock the guy up who burglarizes houses so he doesn't burglarize yours, and don't just stick him in on a sentence where he'll parole out in a few months, leave him in there a long time, especially when it comes to repeat offenders. Odds are these guys will burglarize houses or commit some other serious crimes with victims when they gets out, so the longer they stay the better. And then if there really is much to deterrence, which I think is overrated, at least the greatest deterrent effect would be on those who contemplate committing the types of crimes they know without a doubt will hurt innocent people. Fill our prisons up to where they are overflowing with low level drug offenders though and we can't do that. There's no room in the inn.

To me this doesn't make a lot of sense because we aren't protecting ourselves very well from those we know in all likelihood will hurt innocent people again. The statistics bear this out. The vast majority of these guys will re-offend. Something like 70% of those released from prison will be rearrested on new felony charges within three years from their release. It just seems logical to me that we would want to keep those we know have robbed folks and that sort of thing locked up as long as we can. Druggies are more likely than non druggies to commit more serious crimes, but a lot of them never will commit serious crimes. If they do, hammer them hard. But let's focus our limited prison resources on those we know are out there committing crimes in which each offense has actual victims, because these people are a much bigger threat to us.

[happygrl]

From what my born-again friends, who were former users tell me, that is a classic "sucked-in" face of a meth user.

[Jim Noble]

I'd much rather see them put to use locking up people who are out there stealing and robbing, breaking into homes, forging checks, and on and on and on, rather than all these low level drug offenders.

That's true,up to a point.

Lots of users, though, are self-medicating for their underlying demons, and are truly dangerous people with or without drugs.

(And, no, I don't mean weed, smoke 'em if you've got 'em).

[Strutt9]

Lovely poem thanks.

[goldstategop]

They inconvenienced law-abiding citizens by making them sign for their cold medicine in the store while meth operations were simply shifted to Mexico. Brilliant!

(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em, Down Hezbullies.)